Skip to main content

Table 2 Percentage of respondents endorsing various potential types of help (N = 4938)

From: Mental health literacy about depression: a survey of portuguese youth

 

Helpful

Harmful

Neither or don’t know

Different people who could possibly help

   

A family doctor

74.6

2.1

23.2

A teacher

27.6

8.7

63.7

A psychologist

89.0

2.3

8.7

A nurse

49.1

4.1

46.8

A social worker

14.6

16.4

69.0

A psychiatrist

55.1

9.5

35.5

A telephonic helpline

16.4

23.2

60.5

A close family member

75.1

3.3

21.6

A close friend

80.9

2.5

16.6

Medicines

   

Vitamins

65.5

4.2

30.3

Tea

54.0

3.6

42.3

Tranquillizers

29.9

30.4

39.7

Antidepressants

37.7

28.6

34.1

Antipsychotics

8.8

37.3

53.9

Sleeping pills

29.3

30.9

39.8

Interventions

   

Becoming more physically active

66.2

5.2

28.6

Getting relaxation training

82.9

1.2

15.8

Practicing meditation

62.7

2.9

34.4

Getting acupuncture

23.4

7.4

69.3

Getting up early each morning and getting out in the sunlight

27.6

9.8

62.6

Receiving therapy with a specialized professional

74.8

2.6

22.5

Looking up a web site giving information about her problem

45.9

12.7

41.4

Reading a self-help book on her problem

48.3

8.3

43.4

Joining a support group of people with similar problems

49.9

9.8

40.3

Going to a specialized mental health service

59.3

7.2

33.5

Using alcohol to relax

2.8

84.8

12.4

Smoking cigarettes to relax

4.0

83.6

12.4

Knowledge and skills to give first aid and support to others

   

Listen to her problems in an understanding way

95.2

.7

4.1

Talk to her firmly about getting her act together

48.6

14.3

37.1

Suggest she seek professional help

77.2

4.6

18.2

Make an appointment for her to see a GP with her knowledge

60.8

6.5

32.7

Ask her whether she is feeling suicidal

16.6

52.0

31.8

Suggest she have a few drinks to forget her troubles

3.6

87.1

12.9

Rally friends to cheer her up

73.8

4.5

21.7

Not acknowledging her problem, ignoring her until she gets over it

3.1

84.5

12.4

Keep her busy to keep her mind off problems

62.7

8.5

28.8

Encourage her to become more physically active

48.5

5.8

45.7